Vito Losito

Vito J. Losito, age 90, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026. 

One of Joseph and Catherine (Florio) Losito’s six children, Vito was born in Bari, Italy and came to the United States as a baby. He was raised in the Bronx, NY, where he attended High School, graduating with the Class of 1952. 

Vito proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. During his service, he was stationed in England, where a chance encounter would change his life forever. One evening, while waiting for a taxi, Vito stopped into a café that also served as the local taxi base. There, he met a lovely young woman named Shirley Wood, a native of England, who kindly served him a cup of tea. A warm conversation followed, and Vito soon found reasons to return—being stationed near Stansted Airport made it easy to stop in again for tea and conversation. Before long, the two fell in love. 

In 1957, Vito and Shirley came to America and were married on Sunday, June 22, 1957, at St. Francis de Chantal Parish in the Bronx. They enjoyed a honeymoon in the Poconos and began their married life together in the Bronx. They lived there for several years, including part of the time they awaited the completion of their new home in the Lions Head Lake section of Wayne. In 1961, they moved into that home, where they spent the next 64 years building a life filled with cherished memories and good times. 

Vito was a man who could make or fix anything. He came from a generation that believed in repairing rather than replacing. He once built a shed entirely from pallet materials and loved working on cars—especially Chevy Corvairs, which were known for being quirky and difficult to repair. When necessary, Vito simply made his own tools to get the job done. Whatever he owned, he fixed. 

He also loved being outdoors, working in his garden, planting his prize-worthy tomatoes and tending to his herbs. His love of gardening was matched only by his disdain for chipmunks, who found his herbs and vegetables just as delicious as he did. 

Known as “Pop-Pop” to his grandchildren, Vito adored each and every one of them. He delighted in time spent with them when they were little, playing baseball in his backyard. Vito never missed a sporting event or school program and was immensely proud of their accomplishments as young adults. 

Gifted with a sharp intellect and a strong drive to succeed, Vito worked as a tool-and-die maker for the Levolor Blind Company in Hoboken, NJ, from 1961 to 1971. Those were the days when his commute from Wayne to Hoboken involved only one traffic light. Just as he created tools for his cars, Vito also designed and built custom tools for his work, allowing him to perform his job with exceptional professionalism and efficiency. 

In 1971, Vito decided to take his professional life in a new direction. He purchased a truck and became an owner-operator employed by Acme Supermarkets in South Kearny. His son Tony fondly recalls being around ten to twelve years old and visiting Acme’s truck yard, where his father once let him drive the truck—an unforgettable thrill for a young boy. While at Acme, Vito worked alongside Nelson Van Eck, and in 1976, the two went into business together, forming Van Eck and Losito Trucking, Inc. Their first contract was with Yoohoo Chocolate Drink in Carlstadt. Through integrity, hard work, and a strong partnership, the company grew tremendously. In 1993, they relocated their operation to a brand-new warehouse and truck yard in Clifton. In 2012, Vito retired so he could devote himself to caring for his beloved wife Shirley during her health challenges. 

To his granddaughter Alyssa, Pop-Pop and Yoo-hoo were inseparable. As a little girl, she genuinely believed that Pop-Pop had invented Yoo-hoo. For more than thirty years, Halloween at the Losito home meant no candy or coins—just Yoo-hoo chocolate drink boxes. The house became famously known as “the Yoo-hoo House,” and generation after generation of neighborhood children returned year after year, eventually bringing their own children. When Vito celebrated his 90th birthday, his family invited former employees, many of whom traveled from near and far, even out of state, to honor him for being such an exceptional boss. 

It came as no surprise that Vito was so deeply loved by those who worked for him. Everyone loved Vito. Yes, he was “handsome”, but even more so, he was kind, charming, and endlessly warm. Never grumpy, he was always the first to offer help and did so with a smile. Vito and Shirley were wonderful entertainers, with their home serving as headquarters for block parties and pool parties for family and neighbors alike. People were drawn to Vito’s warmth, charisma, and genuine interest in others. He loved listening to people’s stories and was always happy to share his life wisdom. To many, he was called the Godfather of the neighborhood. With Vito’s passing, everyone lost a close friend. 

Vito was the beloved husband of Shirley, blessed with a beautiful marriage that spanned 57 years until her passing in September 2013. He was the loving father of his two sons: Anthony and his wife Paula Losito of Wayne, and Robert and his wife Terry Losito of Wayne. He was the cherished grandfather of Alexis, Alyssa, Anthony, Ashleigh, Alyson, and Aiden; dear brother-in-law of Remo Apuzzo of Clintondale, NY; and loving uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Vito was predeceased by all of his siblings: John, Dominica “Margie,” Martin, Joseph, and Mary.